Transport operators in Gulu decry loss of income

Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Transport operators in Gulu town have decried financial hardship and starvation following the ban on public and private transport.

Last month, the government temporarily suspended operations of commuter taxis, boda-bodas and buses among others to reinforce safety measures in curbing the spread of coronavirus.

But now the affected transport operators have complained about the continued sanctions for stifling their informal stream of income hence consequently causing them financial hardship and starvation to their families.

Patrick Omona, a member of Gulu city boda boda association says that his motorcycle was impounded by police enforcing the Presidential directives which ruined his only source of income making it hard to feed his family.

Thomas Oboma, Chairperson of Northern Boda-Boda Association that has over 25,000 membership disclosed that dozens of their members have been forced to auction their motorcycles to enable them to meet their family demands and also service bank and group loans.

Kennedy Nyero, a truck driver who used to earn daily income from transporting market vendors to and fro rural public markets says that his income has dwindled.

Alex Odongo Okoya, the LCII Chairperson of Tegwana Parish, Pece Division in Gulu Municipality revealed that the shutdown has affected several casual labourers who load and offload cargo at main bus park.

At least 20 vehicles and motorcycles and motor vehicles in Gulu have been impounded and more than 10 people arrested for flouting the Presidential directive.

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